Peter Force Declaration of Independence to auction

A Peter Force copy of the American Declaration of Independence is to cross the block at Cowan's Auctions on June 21.

In 1820, William Stone was commissioned to make a facsimile of the original, and somewhat tatty, American Declaration of Independence. The present example was printed using Stone’s resultant copperplate

Peter Force (1790-1868) was a 19th century US politician, historian and archivist, who organised the "American Archives" series in order to bring the American people in contact with those documents which had shaped the lives of their forefathers.

A documentary history of the country, the series was initially planned to comprise more than 20 volumes, with subscriptions for 2,500 copies.

Although Force was commissioned to print the series in 1843, the project was unexpectedly cancelled by secretary of state William Marcy.

Force reconsidered his position and proposed a smaller print run, with subscriptions of 500, which was eventually approved by Congress.

Force's wish to contribute to the American National Library finally came true in 1867, when Congress purchased his collection for $100,000.

It is thought that only approximately 36 of the original 200 vellum documents ordered by Congress remain with us today.